Lang hired a high-powered law firm to defend Woodstock and, in a lengthy letter, accused the Japanese firm of several illegal acts and of trying to undermine the festival once it learned Woodstock 50 would not earn as much money as it hoped.

Lang says he was wary about entering in a partnership with a corporation like Dentsu in the first place, and his fears were all but confirmed by the company's actions.

He maintains Woodstock 50 will be an "inspiring festival experience" this summer.

But Dentsu also spun the ruling as a victory on its end, saying it was "vindicated" in its right to recoup the $17.8 million from the Woodstock 50 accounts. The firm said the court agreed there were problems on the Woodstock LLC side that gave it cause to withdraw, and it will do just that.

The judge's order indicates Woodstock 50 can continue if it wants, but it doesn't have much reason for optimism given the timetable.

The festival organizers are presenting a unified front anyway. Some would say they've been here before.